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NeoCon returns to Chicago June 7-10 with a renewed focus on the technologies, materials and design strategies reshaping commercial interiors, bringing together approximately 50,000 design professionals, architects, manufacturers, facility managers and workplace leaders from around the world.
Held at The Mart, the 57th edition of the show is centered on the theme “Where Design Connects” and arrives as the global contract interiors market continues to expand. Across nearly one million square feet of exhibition space, attendees will explore emerging solutions for workplaces, healthcare facilities, hospitality environments, educational spaces and public buildings.
Among the most significant additions for 2026 is Illuminate at NeoCon, a new dedicated lighting exhibition featuring more than 60 lighting brands and a comprehensive educational program focused on the intersection of architectural lighting, human health and environmental design. The show-within-a-show highlights growing industry interest in circadian wellness, adaptive lighting systems and the role of lighting in occupant experience.
NeoCon is also introducing Preview Day on June 7, providing attendees with early access to exhibits and showrooms before the official opening of the event. Another featured attraction, NeoCon Collab: Half Light, is a 2,800-square-foot immersive installation inspired by Chicago’s “Chicagohenge” phenomenon and designed to demonstrate how materials, color, furnishings and lighting can work together to create experiential environments.
Throughout the show, attendees will encounter several major trends influencing the future of commercial interiors, including AI-enabled workplace design, smart environments, neuroinclusive spaces, circular design practices, material reuse, biophilic design strategies and hospitality-inspired workplaces. Hybrid work environments, multigenerational office planning and data-driven spatial experiences are also expected to be key themes across exhibits and educational programming.
The conference schedule features keynote presentations from Jessica O. Matthews, founder and CEO of Lived Labs; Nick Foster, former head of design at Google X; and David “Shingy” Shing, former digital prophet at AOL. Additional sessions will examine topics ranging from artificial intelligence and workplace transformation to sustainable lighting, neurodiversity, public space design and emerging technologies.
Educational offerings include workshops, continuing education sessions, NeoCon Talks and Spotlight Sessions focused on lighting innovation and its impact on perception, productivity and well-being. Student-focused programming will also provide networking, portfolio reviews and career development opportunities for emerging designers.
More than 450 exhibiting brands are expected to participate, showcasing products and solutions spanning furniture, surfaces, lighting, textiles, workplace systems, technology and architectural materials.
As organizations continue to rethink how people work, learn, heal and interact within built environments, NeoCon 2026 aims to provide a forward-looking view of the products, technologies and design philosophies driving the next generation of commercial interiors.
